Issues on Health Care for People With Parkinson's Disease in Korea: A Focus Group Study

Abstract

It is important to fully appreciate perceptions of the physical, emotional, and social effects of Parkinson's disease (PD), which is progressive and complex. This is a qualitative study with focus group interviews to understand patients' challenges and needs relating to health care in PD. Thematic analyses were applied to analyze the qualitative data. There were 3 main themes, that is, "physical challenges," "psychosocial response," and "family relationships," and 8 subthemes. These findings suggest that health care providers should be aware of specific patients' difficulties and needs to provide timely and appropriate interventions for people with PD.